Last week, the Simon Volunteers student club completed their annual Silent Auction to raise money to purchase Christmas presents for underprivileged children in the Rochester area. Auction items included a number of items donated by local businesses, such as gift certificates for spa treatments, restaurants, coffee shops, an oil change for your car, and hair salons. There were also some special items that members of the Simon community donated such as desserts by Associate Dean Holli Budd, and lunch or dinner with Dean Zupan. Almost $2000 was raised this year through the Silent Auction – an increase over last year's fund raiser.

In early December, the Simon Volunteers will coordinate their annual gift wrapping party. They invite staff, faculty, and student body to come together as a community for a half day to wrap the presents that were purchased for these children. For those of us who have participated, it is truly one of the most enjoyable and meaningful activities that brings members of the School together. It allows us to make a difference in the lives of some special families in the Rochester area, while also supporting Rochester area establishments. This is just one example of the type of student activities that are planned each year.